Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 Official icon**Official websites use .gov**
				A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Lock icon**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
				A lock (  ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
	CDC LogoCDC Logo
 Search

		Submit


*Tips From Former Smokers* ®





Quitting without Using a Medicine						Español (Spanish)							Print
																Related Pages
										There are seven medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help you quit. They work in different ways. All have been shown to be safe and effective for adults who smoke cigarettes.
These quit-smoking medicines include nicotine replacement medicines (the nicotine patch, lozenge, gum, oral inhaler, and nasal spray) and pill medicines (varenicline and bupropion SR).
Some other strategies, with or without medicines, can help you quit as well.Select an FDA-approved medicine or a quitting strategy to learn more:Choose hereNicotine PatchNicotine LozengeNicotine GumNicotine Oral InhalerNicotine Nasal SprayCombining MedicinesVareniclineBupropion SRGetting Coaching with MedicineQuitting without MedicineHow to UseQuick TipsPros and ConsSide EffectsFamily preparing dinner
You may be considering quitting smoking “cold turkey” without using a medicine. Some people who decide not to use a quit-smoking medicine just stop smoking right away, others cut back on how many cigarettes they smoke for a few weeks before quitting completely. Some people who quit without using a medicine are able to quit on their own, others get help and support from a quit coach, website, app, or their doctor or other healthcare provider.
Most people who quit without medicines experience worse urges and withdrawal symptoms. And if you smoke a half a pack a day or more, you are also less likely to succeed at quitting for good if you don’t use a quit-smoking medicine.If you are thinking about quitting without using a medicine, strongly consider talking with a quit coach or your doctor for help dealing with urges and cravings.
You are especially likely to benefit from using a medicine if you smoke a half a pack of cigarettes or more a day, struggled with urges and cravings when you tried to quit before, or have never stayed quit for more than a week.
If quitting is harder than you expected when you try, you can revisit using medicines to help. You don’t even have to wait until you smoke a cigarette to do this. You can keep nicotine gum or lozenges on hand, just in case you find that urges and cravings are stronger than you expected.Pros:
Don’t have to spend any money on medicines.
Don’t have to see your doctor or go to a pharmacy.
There is no risk of medication side effects.Cons:
Most people who quit without medicines experience worse withdrawal symptoms.
You may have to deal with stronger and more frequent urges and cravings.
If you smoke a half a pack a day or more, you are less likely to succeed at quitting for good.**Possible side effects** (*and what to do about them*):
You are likely to have worse withdrawal symptoms, including: Urges and cravings to smoke, feeling irritated or upset, feeling jumpy and restless, having a hard time concentrating, having trouble sleeping, feeling hungrier or gaining weight, and feeling anxious, sad or depressed. (*Learn some tips* *that can help you deal with these*)Free Quitting ResourcesTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)
Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal iconWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal iconFree Quitting ResourcesWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal icon—tips, information, and challenges to help you quitTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)Free Quitting ResourcesTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal iconWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal iconTop of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  September 12, 2023						Source: 	Smokefree.gov, Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate home*Tips From Former Smokers* ®
About the Campaignplus icon
Frequently Asked Questions
*Tips* Impact and Resultsplus icon
Publications and Evaluation Results
Burden of Cigarette Use in the U.S.
How to Quit Smokingplus icon
5 Ways Quitlines Helpplus icon
Top 10 Qs about Quitlines
National Texting Portal
quitSTART App
7 Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Tips For Quitting
Learn About Quit Smoking Medicinesplus icon
Three Reasons to Use Medicines When You Quitplus icon
They make quitting less painful
Quit smoking medicines are much safer than smoking
They help you get through the toughest times
How Quit Smoking Medicines Work
Quit Smoking Medicinesplus icon
Nicotine Patch
Nicotine Lozenge
Nicotine Gum
Nicotine Oral Inhaler
Nicotine Nasal Spray
Combining Medicines
Varenicline
Bupropion SR
Getting Coaching with Medicine
Quitting without Medicine
Five New Ways to Quit with Medicines
Six Quick Tipsplus icon
Medicine Tips Just for You
Why Quitting Smoking Is Hard
Quitting Storiesplus icon
Betty’s Story
Daniel’s Story
Select-Lot Varenicline Recall
Real Stories
Diseases/Conditions Featured in the Campaignplus icon
Asthma
Buerger’s Disease
Cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Dual Use of Tobacco Products
Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Heart Disease, Stroke and Peripheral Artery Disease
HIV
Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety
Pregnancy
Vision Loss and Blindness
For Specific Groupsplus icon
All Groups (General Public)
People With Disabilities
African American People
American Indian and Alaska Native People
Asian American People
Caregivers
Hispanic and Latino People
People Living with HIV
LGBTQ+ People
Military Service Members and Veterans
People With Mental Health Conditions
Pregnant or Planning to Have a Baby
Partnersplus icon
Faith-Based Organizations
Organizations Serving Military Members and Veteransplus icon
Media Outreach Toolkit
Organizations Serving Public Housing Residents
Campaign Resourcesplus icon
Social Media Content
Videos
Feature
Images and Photos
Print Ads
Motivational Cards
Newsroomplus icon
Matte Articlesplus icon
*Tips* Campaign for the General Public
*Tips* Campaign for African American Communities
*Tips* Campaign for American Indian / Alaska Native Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Asian American Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Faith Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Hispanic/Latino Communities
*Tips* Campaign for LGBTQ+ Community
*Tips* Campaign for People With Mental Health Conditions
*Tips* Campaign for Military Members/Veterans To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address                        
What's this                                     
Submit
 Smoking & Tobacco Use
Smokefree.gov
National Cancer Institute


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue